In spite of the well-known saying that we eat to live, not live to eat, the quality of our life greatly depends on what and how much we eat. Food is what builds a human body. It can either strengthen or weaken it. If our diet is unhealthy and poor, the same is the condition of our health. Multiple diseases begin to flourish, if our dietary plan is somehow wrong or poor, even if the primary causes of the disorders have nothing to do with food. As a result, treatment of almost any disease usually includes the change of the dietary plan, besides lifestyle changes and medications.

I doubt that anybody will be surprised to hear that the health of our hair can also be greatly improved by foods we consume. It is especially important for those, who suffer or simply experience hair thinning or hair loss.

The given disorders can be triggered by malnutrition and the deficiency of the elements mentioned below.

Protein is the main source for the keratins, which form a hair; therefore consuming foods rich in this element (calves liver, brewer's yeast, wheat germ, low-fat cheese, eggs, fish, beans, and yogurt) will undoubtedly improve its state.

Biotin, which is found in brewer's yeast, brown rice, bulgur, green peas, lentils, oats, soybeans, sunflower seeds, and walnuts, can significantly improve hair health.

B vitamins - B3, B5, B6 - are vitally important for good hair. Rich sources of them are beans, peas, carrots, cauliflower, soy beans, nutritional yeast, bran, nuts and eggs.

Minerals (magnesium, sulfur, zinc, iron, calcium, and silica) prevent hair loss by enhancing the immune system, which normal functioning affects the state of the hair. In this case it is necessary to eat green, leafy vegetables (especially sea vegetables). Raw oats, outer coverings of potatoes, green and red peppers, cucumbers, and bean sprouts provide silica. Dried fruits, cherry juice, organ meat, whole grain cereals, eggs, and dates are rich in iron. Vitamin C improves scalp circulation and increases iron absorption; it is especially important for those, who undergo frequent stresses, which result in hair loss, and suffer from anemia.

Vitamin E increases body oxygen uptake and boosts the immune system. Avocados, nuts, seeds, and olive oil enrich the body with this vitamin.

Hair loss can be the result of the thyroid dysfunction. Carrots, spinach, walnut or pumpkin seeds, turnips, cabbage, mustard, soy beans, peanuts, pine nuts, millet and sea salt, being the sources of vitamin A and iodine, improve the functioning of the thyroid gland. However, the excessive amounts of vitamin A can also cause hair loss.

Essential fatty acids (flaxseed oil, primrose oil, and salmon oil are good sources) prevent dry hair and improve its texture. Folic acid and other amino acids deficiency can cause a complete baldness.

In general, the state of the hair depends on the state of the whole body; therefore, the principles of the diet are the same: it is necessary to eat different kinds of food (fruits and vegetables, meats and milk products, whole grains and beans), choosing natural, lightly processed, and pesticides and herbicides free products. Over spicing, over cooking, and over eating must undoubtedly be avoided. Add a healthy lifestyle (no smocking, no alcohol, much exercising) – and you will have not only gorgeous hair, but beautiful skin, strong health, vigor, vitality, and desire to live and enjoy your life.

Ivanna